Your questions about lymphatic drainage, answered.

The Vogel Method is founder Sharon Vogel's proprietary approach to MLD, built over decades of hands-on practice. She trains NLC staff and other licensed therapists in the technique through CEU education at the Vogel Institute of Lymphology, established in 2021. Every therapist at National Lymphatic Centers works from this method.

No. As Sharon puts it, massaging swelling hurts, so MLD does not press on it. It uses a light skin-twisting technique that draws fluid instead of squeezing it. Most patients find the work calm, almost meditative. If anything ever feels tender, tell your therapist and we adjust.

Sharon Vogel is the founder and director of National Lymphatic Centers, established in 1991. She holds her LMT, CLT, BCTMB, CVMLD, and a BS in Biomedical Science. She leads a team of therapists trained in manual lymphatic drainage across all three clinics, several of them certified lymphedema therapists.

Your first visit starts with a health review and a drainage assessment before any hands-on work. Your therapist confirms MLD is right for you, then clears the pathways at the neck before drawing fluid through. Plan a little extra time so nothing feels rushed.

Session lengths vary by what your plan calls for. Your first visit runs longer because it includes the health review and assessment. Current session options are listed on our pricing page.

Many patients notice they feel lighter soon after a single session, sometimes the same day. That first change is fluid moving, so it is real without being permanent. For a lasting result, relief tends to build over a short series rather than one visit.

It depends on what we are treating, which is why every plan begins with an assessment. As Sharon says, there is not just one way to do lymph drainage, because everyone is different. We offer sessions in packages of 3, 5, or 10, and your therapist maps the right cadence with you.

Most patients do not need one. If you are recovering from surgery, we ask you to clear massage with your surgeon first. If you are in cancer treatment, we coordinate timing with your care team before booking.

MLD supports lymphedema, lipedema, post-surgical swelling, post-mastectomy recovery, fibrosis, and oncology recovery, among others. Many patients also come for general swelling, bloating, or a face that stays puffy. Every plan starts with an assessment of what you are dealing with.

Yes. Managing diagnosed lymphedema is core to what we do, and our lymphedema therapy work is grounded in the Vogel Method. Lymphedema is a chronic condition we help you manage, not one we claim to cure. Severe or acute cases can need a hospital lymphedema clinic, and we will guide you there.

Lipedema is a chronic condition, so the goal is managing it well rather than curing it. Our lipedema treatment uses gentle drainage to help with the swelling and heaviness many patients feel. Your therapist assesses your case before recommending a cadence.

Yes. Post-surgical swelling is one of the most common reasons patients book with us. We time the work to your recovery and coordinate with your surgeon's guidance. Always clear any post-op massage with your surgeon before you begin.

No. We do not diagnose, and we do not perform surgery. We provide manual lymphatic drainage and related therapy for conditions that have been assessed. If something needs a diagnosis, we point you toward the right physician first.

No, and we are direct about that. Lymphatic work is not right for certain medical conditions, which is why every session at National Lymphatic Centers starts with a health review. That review lets us flag anything before we begin.

We do not perform lymphatic drainage on patients with AFib, COPD, emphysema, blood clots, or an active infection. Those are medical conditions that need your own physician's clearance first, and we refer these patients to a hospital lymphedema clinic where emergency care is on site.

Often, yes, with coordination. Oncology support is part of what we do, and we time the work with your care team before booking. Your therapist reviews your history and current treatment so the plan fits where you are in your care.

Prenatal and postpartum drainage are services we offer, and many patients find them a comfort. As with any condition, your first visit includes a health review so we can confirm the work suits you. Clear it with your OB if you have any concerns.

Booking runs through our online booking page, with a card kept on file to hold your spot. You can also call us at 630-828-6582 and our front desk will help you find the right clinic and service. A 48-hour cancellation notice keeps your appointment open for another patient who needs care.

Session prices depend on the service and provider, and we list current figures on our pricing page. We also offer sessions in packages of 3, 5, or 10. Your therapist confirms the right plan at your assessment, so you know the cost before you commit.

We are a self-pay clinic, so we do not bill insurance directly. We provide an itemized superbill after your visit that you may submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement of medically necessary lymphatic therapy. Reimbursement depends on your plan, so check with your insurer first.

We have three clinics across the western and southwest Chicago suburbs: Hinsdale, Downers Grove, and Joliet. Call 630-828-6582 and our front desk will get you in at the location nearest you.